TANTRA-zawadi
 "My work can best be described by the love that I make through my art to the vision of the unseen reality."

Biography
Tantra-zawadi, spoken word artist and performance poet, is the author of
“alifepoeminprogress” by Pauline Publishing - A Spoken Word  Black Press (Chuma Spirit Books), New York.

Tantra-zawadi begins 2008 with enthusiastic reviews of her latest project “Girl”, a choreo-poem that speaks to the inequities and injustices committed against women the world over and the “Love Planet” EP with Collective Spirits (Jonny Montana, Neil Maclean, Dana Byrd and Tantra-zawadi) for Camio Recordings.  The “Love Planet” EP, released on May 28, 2008, has received rave reviews and is on the top 40 list of www.spiritofhouse.com.   Tantra’s video “Scarlet Waters”, featuring Michael Cox, can be viewed on the video-wall for Product (RED) created by Bono of U2 and Bobby Shriver to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS in Africa.  Launchers of Product (RED include businesses such as Gap, Inc.., Converse, American Express, Apple, Inc., and Giorgio Armani.   Tantra also filmed a public service announcement for BETAH Associates produced by Marc Herbert Productions aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS awareness through the art form spoken word and a performance video of “Girl” featuring I’serene Oasis on bass (www.youtube.com/india25).

Tantra has performed to standing-room audiences at venues in Toronto, London and Germany while blowing audiences away with her soul stirring style of poetry in the tri-state area; performing original works in the off-Broadway productions of "An Evolution in Reinvention" and "Leaving My Apartment and Other Urban Adventures." Her recent appearances include the Sugar Bar, Merce Cunningham Studios, Brooklyn Museum's First Saturday Project, Def Poetry Plugged In, hosted by Danny Simmons at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, BRIC Studios, Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, Solomon’s Porch, Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Brooklyn NEXT!, Bryant Park, Union Square Park (Summer in the Square), Barnes & Noble, Trane Studios and Up From The Roots – When Sister’s Speak in Toronto, The Schomberg Library with Ruby Dee and Avery Brooks in attendance, the 2005 Harlem Book Fair, 4WCircle of Art, Urban Erotika, The Guild Theater, Trane Studios, The Triad Theater, The Cutting Room, the Nuyorican Poets Café, the Brooklyn Tea Party and the Symphony Space (Riant Theatre’s Strawberry One-Act Festival). Tantra was honored by the Kings County District Attorney's Office during Women's History Month in 2001 for her artistic contributions to the borough of Brooklyn. 

Tantra is the subject of a spoken word documentary “Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow” (which features poets who make a living from their art), by award winning filmmaker, Julia O’Farrow (www.jaygeeohcom.com).  Tantra is the host of her own spoken word series, WORDSPACE at the The Five Spot Soul Food Restaurant & Lounge in Brooklyn and has made several appearances on cable television, local and satellite radio shows, including “Straight Up!, with Stella Winston” (BCAT), Eadon’s Place (LIVE365), WWRL1600 Radio.  Her poetry was featured in Essence Magazine and in the spoken word publications Redeye and Spoken Vizions, defpoetryjam.com, Platinum Poets, Suniper Press and poetswearprada.com.  Website:  www.tantrasmasterwordplay.com, www.myspace.com/tantrais and www.sonicbids.com/tantra.  Discography:  Sacred, The Poet, Natural: Bring That Poem Home, Urban Avant Garde: Live at the Nuyorican Poets Café, Selling My Diamonds by Precious Gift, Blu Magazine spoken word compilation.  DVD: The Poet.  Booking and media inquiries: Debra Williams, Diamond & Company, 212-247-3692 (www.diamondandcompany.com).  For more about the choreo-poem “Girl”, please visit www.girlachoreopoem.com.  The “Love Planet” EP is available on-line at www.traxsource.com.

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